During this past week, our International Officer @chloexcauchi and Director for Civic Engagement @itsdaviddebattista , attended COP28 in Dubai. In order to adequately represent Maltese and Gozitan youths in the United Nations Conference, they had the following aims:

Firstly, to lobby for the Phasing out of Fossil Fuels across all sectors by 2050 in order to maintain the 1.5℃ limit. If fossil fuels are not phased out in this conference, COP28 would have been a failure. This plea is being pushed from KNŻ, the European Youth Forum, YOUNGO and countless other NGOs and civil society at large. Secondly, to lobby for further allocation of funding to climate. In order to achieve climate justice, various funding options need to take place such as implementing the Loss and Damage fund. Thirdly, diversifying the sources of renewable energy sources in order to create a more holistic approach to 2050’s goals.

Finally, to further educate themselves on the ongoing COP and subsequently educate more Maltese and Gozitan youths with the findings, ideas and solutions presented throughout COP28.

There are various other roles, our youth delegates had to step up to and together with the European Youth Forum, YOUNGO and other youth NGOs, they rallied, lobbied and protested throughout their presence at COP28.

Some highlights throughout their attendance were that of attending EU working group meetings, High Level Ministerial Meetings, monitoring the negotiations, coordinating with YOUNGO on the YouthStocktake Launch as well as the European Youth Forum for various side-events. Despite their return to Malta, they continue to monitor the ongoing draft resolution and negotiations whilst preparing for a stronger climate activism presence in Malta.

KNŻ would like to extend its gratitude towards the Ministry for Environment, Energy and Enterprise, for providing us with such an opportunity to represent Maltese and Gozitan youths at one of the most impactful global climate conferences.

KNŻ has always believed that the active presence and representation of youth at such events is crucial, for a meaningful intergenerational dialogue to occur, providing negotiators innovative solutions.